PHYSETEE. 57 1 



short, broad, and truncated. Dorsal fin replaced by a low protu- 



The upper part of the huge head is filled with the substance 

 known as spermaceti. The same substance is found, though in 

 smaller quantities, in other Physeteridce, probably in all. 



Only one species is known with certainty. 



379. Physeter macrocephalus. The Sperm-whale or Cachalot. 

 PVeter macrocephalus, L. Syst. Nat. i, p. 107 (1766) ; W. Sclater, 

 Catodon macrocephalus, Blyth, Cat. p. 93. 



Colour black or blackish throughout, or whitish below. 



Dimensions. Males grow to about 60 feet; females are said not 

 to attain more than half that length. 



Distribution. Pelagic ; found in nearly all tropical and sub- 

 tropical seas, occasionally visiting colder regions. Formerly this 

 whale is said to have been much hunted in the Bay of Bengal 

 and off Ceylon. The only recorded case of an individual being 

 stranded on the Indian coast, so far as I am aware, took place in 

 January 1390 at Madras, and was noticed by Mr. Thurston, 

 Superintendent, Government Central Museum. The animal was 

 about 24 feet long. 



Fig. 185. Sperm-whale (Physeter macrocephalus]. (Flower, Art. 

 " Whale," ' Encyclopaedia Britarmica.') 



Habits. The Sperm-whale is found in the open sea, generally in 

 herds or " schools " varying from ten or fifteen to a very large 

 number, sometimes, it is said, as many as two hundred animals. 

 The old males live apart. All wander much, sperm-whales having 

 been killed in the Atlantic with harpoons that had been left in 

 them in the Pacific Ocean. These animals can dive for a long 

 time and to great depths. Their movements are more rapid than 

 those of other whales. 



The Cachalot, like other Physeteridce, appears to feed entirely 

 on Cephalopoda (cuttle-fishes). Besides the spermaceti from the 

 head and sperm-oil from the blubber, this whale yields ambergris, 

 which is a concretion formed in the intestine and found sometimes 

 floating on the sea. 



